Noēsis and Diēgēsis: the Theory of Asystata and the Narrative in Ancient Rhetorical Treatises.

The article examines the interconnected theories of asystata (invalid or insoluble issues) in stasis theory and narrative coherence as developed in ancient rhetorical treatises, particularly within the progymnasmata exercises. Rooted in Aristotelian logic, these frameworks were used in Late Antiquity to identify criteria for invalid arguments and implausible narratives, thereby fostering critical thinking and effective communication. Key categories of invalidity include one-sidedness, impossibility, improbability, abrupt conversion, and inappropriateness, each corresponding to breaches of fundamental logical principles such as the Principles of Identity, Non-Contradiction, and Sufficient Reason. The study highlights how these rhetorical tools served both persuasive and educational purposes, shaping the development of European narrative theory by emphasizing plausibility over mere imagination. An appended comparative table aligns types of asystata with analogous narrative inconsistencies, illustrating their shared conceptual basis.